Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. For more information about your privacy and protection, please review our full Privacy Policy.

Capitol Reef to Zion

I have been intrigued, reading the dozens of replies to Lev's question about driving from Moab to Capitol Reef to Bryce. Ten years ago we visited Arches, Canyonlands, Bryce and Zion, and we want to re-visit those. We also want to check out Capitol Reef this time. One problem is that we are now ten years older. I am 67 and DH is 75. We are reasonably fit and are up for short scenic walks, but not "hikes" and climbs. We will travel at the end of May in a rented car, not a jeep, so want to avoid sand and dirt roads. I am hoping experienced travelers can please help us select scenic "viewpoint" and "short walk" stops along routes 24 and 12 and then 89 south toward Zion. The Hickman Bridge Trail and the petroglyphs in the Capitol Reef vicinity may fit the bill. We will be coming from Moab via 70 and then 24. We will overnight in Torrey, before heading to Bryce for a couple of nights and then Zion for a couple of nights. This will be a quick visit to Capitol Reef, as we are not serious hikers, but we'd like to have the best experience, nonetheless. We plan to take our time along the roads to Bryce and Zion, so are open to all suggestions for good stops on those routes as well. Grateful for all advice!

Between Moab and Capitol Reef you might consider stopping at Gobblin Valley State Park. I think you can walk around among the rock formations fairly easily.

In Capitol Reef Hickman Bridge might be a bit much as there's a 400 elevation change. Maybe part of Capitol Gorge or Grand Wash.

In Bryce, for sure a walk along the rim between Sunset and Sunrise points. I would walk down a very short amount of Navajo Loop just to get down slightly into the hoodoos. Don't go too far as you'll have to walk back up.

I am honored that you have replied to my question, Myer, as I have come to view you as the ultimate advisor for these parks. By walk vs. hike, I mean not too strenuous. DH is 75, not a seasoned walker, and will be doing all the driving as well. We want to enjoy as much scenic beauty as possible on a leisurely re-exploration of the region. Thank you for the advice about Hickman Bridge and we will skip that. Short (1/2 mile tops each way), flat walks and scenic overlooks are on our agenda this trip. I will print up all advice given here and take it with us!

To see more of Capitol Reef perhaps you could take a back country 4x4 tour to Cathedral Valley or down the Burr Trail? They are spectacular but take most of a day.

Panorama Point off UT24 has some nice views, continue down the very good dirt road to the Goosenecks Overlook and look 700 feet down into Sulphur Creek (less than a mile on gravel road and 1/4 mile walk)

Hickman Bridge is steep at the beginning but if you are 'reasonably fit' you should be OK, I see people of very dubious fitness up there all the time...

Along 12 take the Burr Trail at Boulder about 17 miles to the end of Long Canyon. Fabulous red rock canyon and great view at the end, there's no need to go further unless you want to take the dirt road all the way to the switchbacks.

Thanks, Bob. Can you please recommend a company that gives 4x4 tours in Capitol Reef? (We would not attempt the drive ourselves in back country.) We would be interested in suggestions for 4x4 guided trips in the other park areas too. As long as we're not driving and we get to see the more scenic areas, we're happy!

I also second the advice to take the walk along Capitol Gorge at the end of the Scenic drive in Capitol Reef. The last two miles of the road are dirt but not a problem in a regular car. The path is mostly flat and wonderful.

Hickman Bridge isn't too much different from the arches you will have already seen.

I also second the advice to travel the Burr trail about the first 17 miles. Stunning.

You'd love a trip out to Cathedral Valley as well, hopefully Bob will be able to share that info with you.

meggies,
Only you know your physical condition. I'm 68 and I always thought that when I get older I'll be fine physically but just have less energy.

Well, I have less energy but things happen after being active for this many years. Some things don't heal and others only partially heal. But in any case recoering from anything is a lot slower.

I expect to be hiking for a good part of the day on a four day trip to Glacier this August. But I've had issues and pain.

At 78 your husband may or may not have issues. If it's just a matter of energy then just make sure most hikes with elevation have the "up" part at the beginning and the down part at the end.

Unfortunately, Bryce Canyon starts at the top. That's why I suggested only going down a very small amount of Navajo Loop. Just enough that some hoodoss are above you.

In Zion you mostly start at the bottom. In fact, you could start at the very bottom of the Angel's Landing hike and go until you've had enough. The scenery is outstanding. You can rest after 15-20 minutes and return.

Riverside Walk is extremely scenic and level with some sand sprinkled on top for effect. I even saw a couple of wheelchairs on it.

I forgot about Arches and Canyonlands.

In Canyonlands you should be able to hike the very short Mesa Arch. It's a unique arch as it's the only arch you'll see where you approach it at the top. Look thru and off in the distance on the left side you can see the Washerwoman doing her laundry.

In Arches for sure Balanced Rock. You park in the parking lot and walk around.

Delicate Arch and Park Avenue viewpoints.

Go to the Windows section. The parking lot is in the center. You can walk as close to Double Arch, Turret Arch and the North and South Windows as you like. There really isn't any elevation gain but they're open, scenic trails.

Thanks InSandy and Myer for your good advice. At this stage we are both happier with overlook views and short, easy walks. It will be a long trip with two weeks of driving by DH. I want to keep the walks short and pleasant.

I consider Hickman Bridge a hike not a walk. It's not that hard, but certainly not a cakewalk either. I wouldn't rate it as easy, IMOP.

By all means stop at Goblin Valley. One of my favorites.
You might want to check out Little Wildhorse Canyon. It is a super easy slot canyon. You can go in just a little ways and then turn around. I would suggest going in for about 30 minutes or so(you'll get a good feel for it in that short period). There is a bit of a trick in finding the entrance from the trailhead parking area though. This is not far from Goblin Valley(maybe 10 minutes)

I would suggest getting pie at Gifford House right in Capitol Reef. They arrive at 8:00am and sellout sometime around noon. Eat your pit right in the Orchard(maybe a 2 minute walk from Gifford House). Deer are almost always right there in the little picnic area. Gifford House also sells homemade ice cream. They have great little chips and salsa there. Makes a great snack.

I don't know what month you are going, but the orchards were pretty amazing to me. You can pick whatever is in season and eat as much as you can for free. If you take it with you they charge like 50 cents/lb.

In Torrey you can stop at Austin's Chuckwagon Deli/Store if you need a bit more than a snack for a picnic somewhere. We have stayed at there motel twice. It is just an average clean nothing special place. Besides a bed and breakfast, it's probably the best thing available in town.

Some of the 4 wheel drive tours are mild and some of them are down right dangerous. Just make sure you know what you are getting into when you inquire.

You might want to do an airplane tour over canyonlands. we really enjoyed www.slickrockair.com He'll probably let one of you sit up front with him.

Spirobulldog, a cakewalk would be more our speed, so thanks for the warning about Hickman. I like the ideas of Little Wildhorse and Devil's Garden. Emalloy, we will definitely seek out the petroglyphs. Thanks.

If you are after a cakewalk then I suggest you not do Little Wild Horse. There are a couple dry pouroffs you need to be able to negotiate. I probably wouldn't have been able to do them without my son giving me a boost up.

And the drive up to Fisher Towers on hwy 128 should definitely be on your list, wonderful scenery. Don't know about that hike, will probably rectify that this year.

There are a couple of ways to enter Little Wildhorse. Once you get in, it's really not that big of a deal. It is easier to see on the way out than the way in. Meaning, you don't need to do any climbing. Now, I only did about 2 miles into Little Wildhorse. I suspect that you will only do 1 or so. I have hiked it twice. The 2nd time, I stopped, because my wife didn't want to hike through the water that we ran into after a couple of miles. It is an 8 mile loop, but most just stop and turn around when they want to.

About Fisher Towers. It's not difficult but I think it's too long. It's not a "cakewalk".

When you pull off Rt 128 at Fisher Towers there's a very short dirt road drive. No problem with a rental. You can park in the parking lot. There's an area where climbers can take lessons or practice.

I'm trying to remember the start of the hike. I just checked some of my photos. I think the hike starts partially around the back and eventually goes around and to the front where you have a good view of the Corkscrew.

It's possible you can see the Corkscrew off in the distance up above the vertical walls.

The vertical walls are very distinctive and the color around there is more brown than orange. The Corskscrew is to the right of the verticals and not as high.

Go to #64. That's image 11527. That's Fisher Towers in the background and the Corkscrew is on the right side and much lower than the vertical walls. The Corkscrew is about 900 feet above the bottom.

We hiked around the bottom and when we rounded the bend saw a climber just getting to the top. Once we saw that we couldn't think of a reason to go any further.

You can also go to Youtube and search "Citi Accessories". That's the commercial that ran over the Xmas holidays. The first part is Dead Horse Point just outside of Canyonlands and the last part is the Corkscrew.

Myer, I just checked out your pictures. That walk to Fisher Towers/Corkscrew does look hairy. We need much, much flatter terrain. It would be great to be there to watch the climbers, but I don't think we are in shape for that terrain. I enjoyed looking at your Fiery Furnace pictures, on the way to picture #64+. We will definitely stay out of Fiery Furnace, though it looks like it was quite an adventure for those who went!

You can go to Dead Horse Point. There are parking areas very close to the rim where the start of that Citi commercial was shot. The view of the Colorado River making a 180 degree turn is something.

When in the area, I think the hike/walk to Mesa Arch is fine. It's pretty short and level with no dropoffs anywhere.

As far as Fisher Towers is/are concerned, I think going to the front of the Corkscrew will be way too long. I don't remember it being steep anywhere but it's the length. If you have the time I'd drive down Rt 128 and turn in at the Fisher Towers picnic area. You can walk around there and maybe see people practicing climbing right there beside the parking area.

I'm still trying to decide if you can see the Corkscrew from the start of the hike. It's difficult to tell from my photos due to the different angles.

Fiery Furnace. This is way too long and there are a few spots that would be issues.

In Arches I would stick with Park Avenue and Delicate Arch viewpoints, the Balanced Rock area as well as walking around Turret Arch and Double Arch in the Windows Section.

I'm slightly biased when it comes to 4x4 tours - I drive for Backcountry Outfitters in Torrey - http://www.ridethereef.com/4x4/ and would almost certainly be your driver (I do most of the Cathedral Valley and Notom/Burr tours). The other company in town is Hondoo, who are fine also.